Tyler Jacobs is not your average 21-year-old. For a start, she doesn’t like loud parties and late nights; and when she’s not charging around the trails, she likes to paint.

She’s also one of the most exciting cycling talents ever to emerge from South Africa, after only really starting to race in 2021. In 2025 she won the elite women’s XCC national champs and the women’s Under-23 XCO titles, and then grabbed top-10 placings in the Under-23 World Cup in 2025 (including one win) and finished fourth overall in the 2025 standings.

…known for her superb mountain-biking skills, free-spirited attitude and quiet demeanour

And just to add to her palmares, she kicked off 2026 with a shock win at the national elite road racing championships, where she beat Cape Town Cycle Tour winner Lisa Bone and the legendary Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio in a sprint finish after a 148km route around Walkerville.

Known for her superb mountain-biking skills, free-spirited attitude and quiet demeanour, Jacobs is one to watch in the future.

Bicycling: Great to meet you. I was checking out your social media account while preparing for this interview, and you have quite a following – 27 000-plus?
Tyler Jacobs: Yeah… it kinda kicked off when I made a video of me crashing! I got a lot of followers from that. But I don’t take it too seriously, and just make some videos when the inspiration comes to me. 

Bic: There’s an amazing video of you flying over a jump at incredible speed… it looks insane!
TJ: Yeah, that was at G-Spot, here in Stellenbosch.

Bic: So where did all this cycling stuff start? Did you grow up in a cycling family?
TJ: My family used to live in Kenya, and my brothers (now aged 18 and 20) and my dad used to ride there a lot. I was home-schooled for high school, so I wasn’t doing any school sport; so my Dad would drag me out, because he said I had to do something active. We would do some long rides. I remember once doing a 135km with them, when I was around 15 or 16. I would always get dropped!

Bic: So they must be super-proud of what you’ve achieved so far, as a rider?
TJ: I don’t think – out of all my family members, which also included my uncle and cousins – that anyone thought I was going to be the one to pursue it! 

Bic: When did you realise you might have some talent for this cycling thing?
TJ: When I rode with my dad and brothers, I was uncomfortable the whole ride, always getting dropped. But when I came back to SA and started riding with people my own age and level, it became fun. But I learnt a lot of skills riding with my brothers too, which has definitely benefited me.

Bic: Since you’ve also won the national elite road racing title, do you consider yourself a mountain biker or a road cyclist?
TJ: Definitely a mountain biker.

Bic: Given your legendary skills, have you had any big crashes?
TJ: Well, I haven’t broken anything. But I did knock myself out once. 

Bic: It sounds like you really enjoy the technical stuff?
TJ: Yeah, it’s definitely what I enjoy the most. I like pushing myself, and the healthy lifestyle that goes along with it. 

Bic: Do you have any riders you look up to?
TJ: Yes, there are plenty. I always say Candice Lill, because she’s been such an inspiration. But I’m also inspired by Hannele Steyn, who’s done every Cape Epic, and she’s still going. That’s amazing. I hope I’ll be like her one day.

Bic: When you’re on the World Cup circuit, do you hang out with the other Saffas?
TJ: In 2024 I was travelling with Candice and Darren [Lill’s husband], and racing all the World Cups. So we were like a little team.

Bic: It must have been great to see Candice win the Cape Epic this year – is the Epic something you’d like to do one day? Maybe with Candice?
TJ: Yeah, I would definitely like to do it one day. But I think, at the moment, Candice is still maybe a couple of levels above me. It would be cool if we partnered one day… but not just yet.

Bic: What’s it like, being a professional cyclist?
TJ: Well, it’s a huge privilege to do what I do. I’ve just moved to Stellenbosch to train, and I live with [fellow pro mountain biker and current African XCO champion] Lilian Baber. We also share the same coach, in Barry Austin. 

We ride together pretty much every single day, come home together and take turns cooking. We’ve had such an amazing time so far. It’s been awesome.

Bic: They always say one of the hardest parts of being a pro athlete is the loneliness. But it sounds like you’re really blessed to have Lilian as a training partner.
TJ: Yeah, it definitely makes that part of it easier.

Bic: If you’re not riding your bike, what else keeps you busy?
TJ: I like running, and I also like to paint sometimes… when I feel like it!

Bic: So would you describe yourself as an artistic person?
TJ: Nah, I wouldn’t say that. I just like to paint when the inspiration strikes. But it’s not like I can look at a detailed painting and tell you anything about it.

Bic: What’s your go-to treat meal?
TJ: Sushi!

Bic: And do you have a cheat meal?
TJ: …I really like pizza.

Bic: You’re only 21, and have already achieved so much. What are your big-sky goals?
TJ: I’d like to go to the Olympics. Hopefully the next ones. And I’d like to become a world champ one day.

Bic: You’ve had an interesting life, having lived in Kenya and being home-schooled. How do you think that’s contributed to your life?
TJ: All of my friends went to boarding school, so it was quite lonely. But I think it was good for me. I got to have many more experiences that I wouldn’t have if I were in a school.  I might not even have started cycling, if I’d been in school. It made me the person I am today; so in a way, I’m happy with how it worked out.

Bic: When we were setting up this interview, your agent, Tyrone Rawlins, said it’s quite tricky to get hold of you…
TJ: That’s absolute rubbish! Ha ha! But – and don’t take offence at this – I’m not the biggest fan of interviews.

Bic: Why not?
TJ: It’s tricky, talking about… your achievements, and yourself like that. It feels uncomfortable. 

Bic: Well, I appreciate that you’ve given us a chance to talk to you.
TJ: Sure thing!

“I don’t really like partying. I’m really much more comfortable going for a coffee with someone after a ride as opposed to going to a party.”

Bic: Being an athlete, how do you balance that with having a normal social life?
TJ: Sure, you have to make a lot of sacrifices. But it’s not that hard; I don’t really like partying. I’m really much more comfortable going for a coffee with someone after a ride, as opposed to going to a party. With Lilian, there’s not really a need for more social interaction. 

But I’ve met a lot of people here in Stellenbosch. And my brother goes to university here, so I see him too. I also have the church here in Stellenbosch where a lot of people from my church up in Ballito [where Jacobs’ parents live] also go.

Bic: What does an average training week look like at this time of the year, when you’re building towards the season?
TJ: So on Monday, I have a rest day. Tuesday I do intervals. Wednesday is a four-hour zone 2 ride on road bikes. Thursday is another two-hour ride, with some sprints. On Friday, I did a one-and-a-half-hour easy ride, and then a four-hour ride on Saturday with ‘over and unders’; and then another four-hour zone 2 ride on Sunday.

Bic: What are ‘over and unders’?
TJ: You ride 30 seconds above your FTP, and then one minute just below it. You do as many 30 seconds as you can, until you drop by 10% of your power. And then you do as many sets of that until you drop by 10%. Then you ride until you burn 2 200 calories.

Bic: That must be the main set of the week?
TJ: Yeah, most probably.

Bic: So on average, you’re riding about 15 to 18 hours a week?
TJ: Yes, and then there’s gym. I gym three days a week too.

Bic: What sort of gym work? Legs mainly?
TJ: Everything. Whole-body workouts.

Bic: Where’s your favourite place to ride?
TJ: For trails, I love G-Spot here in Stellenbosch. And if I have a normal zone 2 road ride, I love going to Gordon’s Bay, and riding along the coast from there.

Bic: You strike me as someone who is quite chilled about things?
TJ: Lilian says that I’m the most unserious person she’s ever met! Sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes not. There are some things you have to take seriously; and for me, I take my riding seriously. 

But in between, I joke around a lot.

Bic: When did you become a LIV Factory Racing rider?
TJ: At the beginning of last year.

Bic: It must be quite a confidence boost when you get support from a big team like that?
TJ: It was actually Darren [Lill] who set up the meeting with the Liv manager. I went to their team tent and spoke to her. 

And then they watched me race, and then they sent a contract! I didn’t think that was going to happen like that. Yeah, it was very cool.

Bic: How many World Cups did you race last year, in the end?
TJ: I think I raced eight, and only missed two XCC races.

Bic: And you won the XCC in Lake Placid, and then got the bronze medal in the Under-23 XCC at the World Championships. You must feel like you belong among the best now?
TJ: I’m getting there…

Bic: When did you first race internationally?
TJ: I went over for a World Champs as a junior. My parents helped me with everything, because there’s not a lot of support from Team South Africa. 

I also did a Swiss Cup before the Worlds. And I was just, like, ‘This is next level. This is not South Africa.’

Bic: So next year, you’ll move up to Elites at the World Cup, racing against your heroes. Do you think they’ll be encouraging, or just following your wheel?
TJ: Heh heh… I don’t know about following my wheel!

Bic: With people like yourself and Byron Munton on the road, the future of South African cycling looks to be in a good place. Why do you think that is?
TJ: I think there are already good riders, but it’s just difficult for them to go over to Europe. Or when they go over, it’s like… a shock, because it’s so much more competitive. But I think more people are going over now, and so there’s more opportunity for them to show their talent.

Bic: Do you think you’ll defend the national road title you won this year?
TJ: I’ve only done three road races or something, so it’s not something I focus on. But the Cycle Tour was a lot of fun to ride this year. I really enjoyed that – even though I punctured on the last climb, so I wasn’t in the running.

Bic: But winning the national title must be the highlight?
TJ: The course this year was terrible. There was no climb – it was just pretty much flat. Yes, it was good for me, because I like to sprint; but even though everyone was trying to make the racing more interesting, it was impossible on that course.

Bic: How did you become such a good sprinter on the road?
TJ: I think certain people’s bodies are better at different things; and I think mine is better at sprinting. This is why my XCC is much better than my XCO.

Bic: I always think XCC just looks insanely dangerous…
TJ: I think it is, but that’s what makes it fun. In XCO, you’re often just on your own, and it’s not that much fun to watch. It’s much more exciting when you’re fighting people for positions.

Bic: Do you feel like you have to be quite physical?
TJ: Yeah. You definitely have to be aggressive, because no one’s giving away positions.

Bic: Do you feel the pressure of fulfilling your potential?
TJ: Yeah, I do sometimes. But Liv Factory are super-chilled. Obviously results matter; but for them, it’s more about how you’re doing. They prioritise the long term, instead of focusing on getting results now. 

So there isn’t a large amount of pressure from them, which is very helpful. There’s more pressure from myself than from them.

Bic: You’re also a relatively late starter in top-level racing. Do you think that has helped you?
TJ: Yes, for sure. I think I got to do fun childhood things like horse riding when I was young, instead of focusing too much on one sport. I was just one of those people who would jump on a horse without a saddle and just and go and ride, when we lived in Kenya.

 

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Bic: Did you ever compete in anything horse-related?
TJ: I did do some competitions. But I hated having to dress up in chaps and jodhpurs and a white collared shirt. I just thought that was nonsense. I would rather just go with no saddle and no shoes, and just go out and ride.

Tyler Jacobs Fact File Age: 21 Residence: Ballito, KZN Palmares: 2025 Elite XCC SA Champion 2025 Under-23 XCO SA Champion 2025 World Cup Under-23 XCC Winner 2025 Under-23 World Championships XCC Bronz

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